Micro fuel cell with membrane storage

Abstract

An apparatus for the generation of electricity that may be in a “standby” mode for long periods of time, i.e. many years. Thus, in one embodiment of the invention, a fuel cell may include at least one of the following features or components: a membrane, and/or storage tanks or cells for hydrogen and oxygen, and/or an “inertial” switch, which may optionally be assembled in close proximity to a membrane. The inertial switch, when activated, may rupture the membrane and allow the hydrogen and oxygen to mix in a fuel cell.

1 - 22 . (canceled) 
   
   
       23 . A method for powering munitions, comprising the steps of:
 containing a first fuel gas in a first storage tank;   containing a second fuel gas in a second storage tank;   inhibiting at least one of said first and second fuel gasses from reaching a fuel cell membrane of a fuel cell while said fuel cell is in a dormant state;   installing said fuel cell in the dormant state in munitions; and   activating said fuel cell to power said munitions.   
   
   
       24 . A method as claimed in  claim 23 , wherein said step of activating includes activating said fuel cell by inertia. 
   
   
       25 . A method as claimed in  claim 23 , further comprising the step of:
 storing fuel for said fuel cell separate from a fuel cell membrane when in the dormant state, and   supplying the fuel to the fuel cell membrane upon activation of said fuel cell.   
   
   
       26 . A method as claimed in  claim 23 , wherein said first fuel gas is oxygen and said second fuel gas is hydrogen. 
   
   
       27 . A method as claimed in  claim 23 , wherein said step of inhibiting includes blocking said first and second fuel gasses form reaching said fuel cell membrane by first and second diaphragms, and further comprising the step of:
 activating said fuel cell by simultaneous puncture of said first and second membranes.   
   
   
       28 . A method as claimed in  claim 27 , wherein said step of activating by simultaneous puncture is by sliding movement of an inertial body having first and second puncture needle, said sliding movement causing said first and second puncture needles to puncture respective ones of said first and second diaphragms. 
   
   
       29 . A method as claimed in  claim 28 , wherein said first and second puncture needles are hollow probes and said step of activating includes initiating flow of said first and second fuel gasses through respective ones of said first and second hollow probes. 
   
   
       30 . A method as claimed in  claim 23 , wherein said step of activating includes sliding an inertial body axially along a length of a fuel cell structure. 
   
   
       31 . A method as claimed in  claim 30 , further comprising the step of:
 biasing said inertial body to an inactive position via a spring force;   overcoming said spring force by applying concussive force to said inertial body.   
   
   
       32 . A method as claimed in  claim 23 , wherein said steps of containing said first and second fuel gases contains said first and second fuel gases in tunneled storage tanks having internal structures defining passageways in which the fuel gasses are contained. 
   
   
       33 . A method as claimed in  claim 23 , further comprising the step of: resetting an activation mechanism from an active state to an inactive state.